Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 61

Verse 1

61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] {a} upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the {b} brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the {c} captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;

(a) Thus belongs to all the prophets and ministers of God, but chiefly to Christ, of whose abundant graces everyone receives according as it pleases him to distribute.

(b) To them that are lively touched with the feeling of their sins.

(c) Who are in the bondage of sin.

Verse 2

61:2 To proclaim the {d} acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of {e} vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

(d) The time when it pleased God to show his good favour to man, which Paul calls the fulness of time, Galatians 4:4 .

(e) For when God delivers his Church, he punishes his enemies.

Verse 3

61:3 To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for {f} ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called {g} trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

(f) Which was the sign of mourning.

(g) Trees that bring forth good fruits, as in Matthew 3:8 .

Verse 4

61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many {h} generations.

(h) That is, for a long time.

Verse 5

61:5 And foreigners shall {i} stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien [shall be] your plowmen and your vinedressers.

(i) They will be ready to serve you in all your needs.

Verse 6

61:6 But ye shall be named the {k} Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the {l} riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

(k) This is accomplished in the time of Christ, by whom all the faithful are made priests and kings, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10 .

(l) Read Isa 6:11:16 .

Verse 7

61:7 For your shame [ye shall have] {m} double; and [for] confusion {n} they shall rejoice in {o} their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the {p} double: everlasting joy shall be to them.

(m) Abundant recompence as this word is used, Isaiah 40:2 .

(n) That is, the Jews.

(o) That is, of the Gentiles.

(p) While the Gentiles had dominion over the Jews in times past, now they will have double authority over them and possess twice as much.

Verse 8

61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate {q} robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

(q) I will not receive their offerings who are extortioners, deceivers, hypocrites or that deprive me of my glory.

Verse 9

61:9 And {r} their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they [are] the seed [which] the LORD hath blessed.

(r) That is, of the Church.

Verse 10

61:10 {s} I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

(s) He shows what will be the affection, when they feel their deliverance.